Carta del director - Universidad de El Salvador

analyses utilizing a combination of
NAA and petrological methods,
however, have given us more indepth
information regarding general
geographical manufacture
zones and, potential hints toward,
distribution patterns [Bishop et.
al., 1988, 1992]. Our ongoing research
project is aimed toward
using this same combination of archaeometric
techniques in order
to garner a better understanding
of Tempisque period materials—
a chronological time period that
has never been studied utilizing
these methods. While we anticipate
equally interesting and informative
results from the NAA analysis
of our sample sherds (currently
being conducted by Ron Bishop
of the Smithsonian Institution), we
are unable to report on this aspect
at this time. Here in we report
the petrological component of
the analysis.
Methodology
The analyses utilized in this project
involves a combination of wellestablished
quantitative (point
counting) and qualitative (examination
of lithic and mineral inclusions
utilizing optical microscopy)
techniques for describing and
interpreting the composition of
archaeological ceramic fabrics.
Quantitative analysis of the sam-
ples was completed by Platz and
Dennett utilizing standard point
counting procedures [Bishop et
al., 1982; Stoltman, 1989, 1991].
This method involves the measurement
and classification (lithic
vs. mineral) of the grain size of
inclusions in the paste using a 1 x
1 micrometer grid superimposed
on the slide to obtain a random,
representative sample. Grain inclusions
less than 0.02 mm are
categorized as matrix (inclusions
presumed native to the clay), 0.02
to 0.55 mm as silt, 0.55 to 2 mm as
sand, and anything larger is considered
gravel. The results of point
counting procedures should aid
the ceramic analyst in potentially
distinguishing unique ‘paste recipes’
and constructing basic research
questions which can then
be addressed and/or clarified
through qualitative petrological
description. Qualitative analysis
of the samples was completed by
Dennett using standard petrological
optical microscopy procedures
designed to identify and describe
the different types of mineral
and lithic inclusions present in the
fabric [Bishop et al., 1982].
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